Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Major Festivals in Slovenia
The eastern town of Ptuj erupts with life on Shrove Sunday (mid-Feb), when
50,000 people assemble for the country's anticipated Kurentovanje. This winter
carnival has revelers taking to the streets in spectacular Kurent masks and cos-
tumes—an outrageous pagan celebration that's become an awesome excuse
for a raucous party. For 2 weeks in late June, Maribor hosts the Lent Festival,
one of the most exciting cultural events in Slovenia, attracting great musical
acts and supporters from all over Europe. In mid-July , Lasko holds a weeklong
beer festival, probably the best place to experience Slovenia's affection for
drinking, polka bands, and live music. Ljubljana Summer Festival runs from July
through to the middle of September and features performances of all kinds—
film, theater, jazz, chamber music, opera, ballet, symphony concerts, theater,
puppetry. Ljubljana also hosts the Druga Godba (The Other Music), an alterna-
tive music festival scheduled around late May; while in late June, you can catch
the Ljubljana Jazz Festival. In mid-July, the popular summer resort of Bled hosts
Blejski Dnevi (Bled Days), a festival of music, craft markets, fireworks, and a
candlelit lake.
On the last Sunday in August, Predjama Castle hosts Erazem's Medieval
Tournament, complete with jousting knights on horseback and costumes from
the Middle Ages. The Cow's Ball ( Kravji Bal ) happens at Lake Bohinj over the
( second or third weekend in September); the cows literally come home from
the mountains and villagers set about their drink-fuelled merrymaking. On
November 11th (St Martin's Day ) , look out for winemaking celebrations in the
country's wine regions.
(www.lufthansa.com). British low-cost airline easyJet (www.easyjet.com) flies to
Ljubljana from London's Stansted airport daily; the London-Ljubljana flight is 2
hours. Czech Airlines has flights from Prague, Malev flies from Budapest, and Tu r k -
ish Airlines arrives from Istanbul. You could also consider flying to Venice or Trieste
in Italy, and then getting a train or car for the short trip to Slovenia.
BY TRAIN Daily services connect Slovenia (usually by way of Ljubljana) with larger
cities in neighboring countries. Venice (245km/152 miles), Vienna (385km/239
miles), Zagreb (135km/84 miles), and Budapest (491km/304 miles) are all an easy
train ride away.
BY CAR You'll have little trouble driving into and around Slovenia. Be aware that
border crossings can get jampacked; there is a great deal of vacation and business traf-
fic passing in and out, and its entry points can get crowded.
GETTING AROUND
BY CAR Slovenia's size makes driving here very attractive; besides, you'll be able to
get into many smaller villages unnoticed by those on trains and buses. Drive on the
right-hand side and pick up a road map (from Tourist Information centers at the air-
port and in Ljubljana). On expressways, the speed limit is 130kmph (81 mph); on
highways, 100kmph (62 mph); on secondary roads, 90kmph (56 mph), and in built-
up areas, 50kmph (31 mph). Keep your headlights on at all times, wear your seat belt,
and do not use your cellphone while driving. Carry your driver's license and insurance
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